Picker stick checking device



Dec. 31, 1968 COOPER ET AL 3,419,049

PICKER STICK CHECKING DEVICE Filed June 24, 1966 Sheet of 2 INV EN TORS BROUGHTON M. 600%}? y JUSEPH c. mapm ATTORNEYS Dec. 31, 1968 B. M. COOPER ET AL 3,419,049

PICKER STICK CHECKING DEVICE Filed June 24, 1966 Sheet 2 INVENTORS. BROUGHTBN M. 000mm BY JOSEPH. c. COOPER ATTORNEYS finite States 3,419,049 PICKER STICK CHECKING DEVICE Broughton M. Cooper, Rte. 3, Taylors, S.C. 29687, and Joseph C. Cooper, Rte. 2, Simpsonville, S.C. 29681 Filed June 24, 1966, Ser. No. 560,227 8 Claims. (Cl. 139162) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to an improved shuttle checking device wherein the checking action increases progressively as the shuttle enters the box as opposed to the abrupt checking action exerted by conventional leather check straps and the like. Devices constructed in accordance with the present invention may also limit the rearward stroke of the picker stick placing the picker in the same position every time preparatory to a power stroke.

Many attempts have been made, heretofore, to solve the many problems inherent in conventional checking devices. For example, an abrupt checking action results when leather check straps are used because of the sudden application of friction when the shuttle is received by the picker. It has been found in practice that the picker is seldom returned to the same position after successive checking strokes because of characteristics of the check straps and associated parts. Such check straps require frequent adjustments and replacement because they wear excessively, thus resulting in the expenditure of expensive labor and materials.

Accordingly, it is an important object of this invention to produce an improved shuttle checking device providing more nearly uniform boxing action.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a checking device which provides a progressively increasing cushion type checking action.

Another important object of the invention is to properly position the picker in the same position every time at the conclusion of checking strokes and preparatory to power strokes.

Another important object of the invention is to positively position the parts of the checking device at the conclusion of a power stroke preparatory to another checking operation to produce substantially the same checking action on successive checking strokes.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a checking device having improved wear characteristics,

Yet another important object of the invention is to provide a positive checking device capable of fine adjustments to vary the checking action within close limits.

A preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates the use of a cam which is turned through a given arc by the picker stick and which engages a friction producing member for progressively increasing the resistance of the cam to turning and hence, affording a progressively increasing checking force.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from 3,4l9,49 Patented Dec. 31, 1968 a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a device constructed in accordance with the present invention mounted upon the lay of a loom,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view, at a reduced scale, illustrating the other side of the device shown in FIGURE 1, and

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view looking toward the side of the loom, further illustrating the device constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a checking device constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated positioned upon a loom having a picker stick and a lay. A bracket A is carried by the lay and has suitable means providing a fixed connection between the bracket and the lay. A substantially vertical link B is provided with a pivotal connection between the link and the bracket. An element C in the form of a bumper is carried by the link B for engagement by the picker stick on a checking stroke. An element having an arcuate friction producing surface is provided in the form of a cam D having a high portion and a low portion. The cam D is carried by the link B adjacent the pivotal connection. Friction producing means include a cam follower E carried adjacent the marginal surface of the cam. Thus, movement of the link B responsive to engagement of the bumper C by the picker stick moves a high portion of the cam progressively into engagement with the cam follower producing an increasing checking action.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the friction producing means further contemplates the use of a strap P which is progressively urged into firmer engagement with the cam to progressively increase the checking action as the shuttle proceeds into the box. To facilitate such firmer engagement resilient means urges the strap into such firmer engagement. Such resilient means includes a yieldable resilient connection provided at one end of the strap upon a pivoted arm. Since the cam follower E is also carried by the arm so as to raise the arm as the follower moves upon a high portion of the cam, tension is increased in the strap F since the raising of the arm takes place against the force exerted by the yieldable resilient connection. A connecting linkage G is carried on one end on a lower portion of the vertical link B and has connection on the other end to a second link. The second link carries a second bumper for resetting the checking mechanism preparatory to initiation of another checking operation. A pair of stops H are carried by the linkage G for engaging an abutment on both checking and power strokes for respectively, positively positioning the picker in extreme rearward position after checking and for positively repositioning the parts of the checking apparatus for the next checking operation after a power stroke.

FIGURE 1 illustrates the bracket A in attached position upon lay wood 10. FIGURE 2 illustrates bolts 11 and 12 (with parts broken away) which pass through a web portion 13 of the bracket A for securing the bracket A together with the lay end plate (not shown) to the lay wood. The usual picker stick 14 is illustrated in FIGURE 1 in position at the conclusion of a checking operation, and carries the usual picker 15 for propelling a shuttle back and forth across the lay.

The bracket A, in addition to the substantially horizontal web portion 13, includes a vertical flange 16 which carries spaced holes 17 and 18 through which are passed suitable fastening means for attachment of a binder spring (not shown). The bracket A further includes a vertical depending flange 19 and a web member 20 for adding strength and rigidity to the bracket. A bracket 21 is fixed upon the flange 19 by suitable fastening means such as the bolt 22. The bracket 21 includes a longitudinally disposed web member 21a and a depending flange 21b which serves as an abutment as described in greater detail below.

A substantially vertical link B has pivotal connection with the bracket A adjacent the end of the bracket adjacent the picker stick when the picker stick is in its rearmost position following a checking operation. The link B has a stub shaft 23 (see FIGURE 3) integral therewith, and the stub shaft turns in a bearing 23a in a bore 24- in the bracket A.

The link B carries a bumper element C which extends laterally from a lower portion thereof in. the path of the picker stick during weaving. The bumper element C includes an integral projection 25 and a leather covering 26 which is secured by suitable fastening means, such as the screws 27 to the lateral projection 25. The cam D includes a boss 28 which has a bore 29 therein corresponding to the bore 24 for receiving the stub shaft 23. A setscrew 30 fixes the cam D with respect to the stub shaft 23. The cam D is provided with a high portion or rise 31 and a low portion 32 occupying opposed segments of the cam. It will thus be seen that when the bumper element C is struck by the picker stick on a checking stroke that the cam will be moved in a clockwise fashion in FIGURE 1.

The cam follower E includes a block 33 constructed of suitable material, preferably plastic such as nylon. The block 33 is carried upon a flexible support 34 and has fixed connection thereto through suitable fastening means such as the bolts 35. The flexible support 34 has fixed connection u on an arm 36 as by bolts 37. The arm 36 has pivotal connection upon the bracket A as at 36a. The free-end of the arm 36 carries a substantially vertical movable plunger 38. A compression spring 39 is carried between an abutment 40 which is secured to the plunger as by the screw 41 and a washer 42 which bears against the upper side of the arm 36. A lower abutment 43 is thread ably attached as at 43a to the lower end of the plunger which passes through a flexible metal strap 44 providing a connection therebetween.

The flexible member F includes a flexible metal strap 44 which carries a leather portion 45 secured thereto as by rivets or a suitable adhesive (not shown). The strap 45,

constructed of leather or suitable composition material, i

passes within a peripheral groove 46 within the cam D.

It should be observed at this point that the block 33 of the cam follower E may be moved further inwardly of the arm 36 to increase the friction produced between the strap, the follower and the cam by turning down the screw 47 which has threaded connection as at 48 within the arm 36. The lower end of the screw bears against the freeend of the flexible support 34 for this purpose. The flexible member F is secured to a mounting block 49 carried by the bracket A as by the screw 50.

It will be observed by reference to FIGURE 1 that the follower E is in engagement with a high portion of the cam D. When the picker stick is in position for the picker to be engaged by the shuttle when a checking operation is initiated the friction producing element E is on the low portion 32 of the cam D. As the checking action progresses the follower E urges the arm 36 in a clockwise direction in FIGURE 1 against the spring 39 causing same to compress increasing the checking action. Preferably, the bracket A, parts of the substantially vertical links, the cam D and the arm 36 are constructed of aluminium or other lightweight material so that the weight of the checking mechanism does not materially exceed that of the usual check strap and the like.

The linkage means G joins the vertical link B with a corresponding vertical link 51 carried adjacent the end of the bracket A remote from the link B. The link 51 has pivotal connection as at the stud 52 with the bracket A and carries a second bumper 53 thereon, which corresponds to the bumper C. The linkage G includes opposed links 54 and 55 which have pivotal mounting as at 56 and 57 upon the vertical links B and 51, respectively. A bar 58 is threaded adjacent each of its ends as at 59 and 60 into the opposed links 54 and 55, respectively. The lock nuts 61 and 62, respectively, may be loosened and the bar 58 turned as in a clockwise direction for shortening the linkage G and it may be turned in the opposite direction for lengthening the linkage. A pair of spaced abutments H are fixed as by setscrews 63 and 64, respectively, one on each side of the abutment 21b. The abutment H which is fixed by the setscrew 64 limits rearward movement of the picker stick after checking, whereas, the abutment H fixed by the setscrew 63 limits the forward motion of the links of the checking device. After engagement of the bumper element 53 by the picker stick, such engagement by the picker stick occurring just before engagement of the picker stick with the usual picker stick bumper stop carried on the loom frame (not shown), the links are carried forwardly until the abutment H fixed by the setscrew 63 limits the forward motion of the links by engagement thereof with the abutment 21b. It should be observed that the slightest engagement of the bumper 53 carried by the vertical pivoted link 51 moves both the links 51 and B to the right-hand side in FIGURE 1 and this movement becomes progressively easier because of the release of the engagement between the friction producing means and the cam D, and because of the action of the spring 39. By the time the picker stick engages the bumper 53 the shuttle has already left the picker because this occurs when the pick ball is on the extreme high point of the toe (not shown) and this has already occurred before the bumper 53 is struck by the picker stick on its forward stroke.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A checking device for use with a loom having a picker stick including a support means, a substantially vertical link, means mounting said link to said support means for movement with respect thereto, means on said link adapted to be engaged by said pick-er stick, a cam mounted for rotational movement with respect to said support means, said cam defining a surface including a high portion and a low portion, means connecting said link and said cam causing said carn to rotate upon said link being engaged by said picker stick, means positioned adjacent said cam and engaging the surface thereof to retard the movement of the same, said last mentioned means including a strap encompassing a portion of said cam surface, biasing means connected to said strap urging the same into engagement with said surface and an abutment member positioned adjacent the cam and adapted to be engaged by the high portion of said cam causing said strap to be moved against the bias of said biasing means to retard the movement of said picker stick.

2. The checking device of claim 1 further including adjusting means engaging said abutment member for selectively moving the same into and out of engagement with said surface.

3. The checking device of claim 2 wherein the adjusting means is comprised of a threaded member engaging said abutment member.

4. A checking device for use with a loom having a picker stick and a lay including, an elongated bracket adapted to be connected to the lay, a pair of spaced sub:

stantially vertical links, means providing a pivotal connection between the links and the bracket, one of said links being positioned adjacent the picker stick upon completion of a checking stroke and the other of said links being positioned adjacent the picker stick upon completion of a power stroke, a bumper element carried by each of said links for engagement, respectively, by the picker stick on a checking stroke and on a power stroke, means including a movable cam carried by said one link having a marginal surface defining a low portion and a high portion, retarding means carried adjacent said cam surface and including means adapted to retard said cam upon engaging said high portion, and linkage means connecting lower portions of said links, whereby movement of said one link responsive to engagement by the picker stick on a checking stroke turns said high portion of said cam to increase engagement of said retarding means resulting in a checking action upon the picker stick, and whereby movement of said other link responsive to engagement by the picker stick on a power stroke turns said low portion of said cam to reduce frictional engagement of said retarding means thereby facilitating positioning of said one link for another checking action.

5. The checking device as set forth in claim 4 including, an abutment positioned adjacent said linkage means, and a pair of spaced stops one each being positioned on either side of the abutment to engage the same on a checking stroke and on a power stroke of the picker stick, respectively.

6. The checking device as set forth in claim 4 wherein adjustable means are provided adjacent the retarding means for controlling the same.

7. The checking device as set forth in claim 4 wherein the retarding means includes a strap positioned about a portion of said cam, adjustable means connected to said strap for urging the same into engagement with said cam, and an abutment member tensioning said strap upon said high portion engaging said abutment member.

8. A checking device for use with a loom having a picker stick and a lay including, a bracket, means adapted to provide a fixed connection between the bracket and the lay, a first substantially vertical link, means providing a pivotal connection between said first link and the bracket,

a bumper element carried by said first link for engagement by the picker stick on a checking stroke, an element having an arcuate friction producing surface comprising a cam having a high portion and a low portion carried by said link adjacent said means providing a pivotal connection, a friction producing member carried adjacent said friction producing surface and including a strap, resilient means urging said friction producing member into engagement with said friction producing surface, an arm carrying said resilient means for connection on one end of said strap, a second substantially vertical link pivotally connected to said bracket and spaced from said first link, and linkage means joining a lower portion of each of said substantially vertical links whereby movement of said first link responsive to engagement of said bumper element by the picker stick turns said element having an arcuate friction producing surface with respect to said friction producing member resulting in a checking action upon the picker stick and additionally causes a related movement of the second link.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 779,902 1/1905 Bevill 139165 872,780 12/1907 Ayer 139168 1,619,847 3/1927 Baker et a1 139162 2,851,062 9/1958 McClamroch 139163 2,878,840 3/1959 Carroll 139-167 FOREIGN PATENTS 125,910 5/ 1919 Great Britain.

1,019,365 10/ 1952 France.

MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner.

JAMES KEE CHI, Assistant Examiner. 

